ArbZG Compliance
Time tracking is a Premium feature. You need a Premium subscription to use it.
medishift automatically checks time entries for compliance with the German Working Time Act (Arbeitszeitgesetz — ArbZG) and displays warnings when thresholds are exceeded. This helps you as a team lead maintain oversight and respond early.
Warning Types
medishift detects the following working time law violations:
| Warning | Threshold | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rest Period | < 11 hours | There must be at least 11 hours of rest between clocking out and the next clock-in (§ 5 ArbZG). |
| Daily Maximum | > 10 hours | Daily working time must not exceed 10 hours (§ 3 ArbZG). |
| Weekly Maximum | > 48 hours | Weekly working time must not exceed an average of 48 hours (§ 3 ArbZG). |
Where Are Warnings Displayed?
Warnings appear in multiple places to ensure nothing is missed:
- When clocking out: A notice appears in the confirmation dialog, e.g., if the rest period to the next working day is insufficient.
- In the Team table: A warning icon next to the affected entry flags the violation.
- In the detail view: A detailed warning with description explains which threshold was exceeded.
- In the approval workflow: Entries with warnings are not auto-approved — even if auto-approval is enabled.
Auto-Approval and Warnings
If you've enabled auto-approval, the following logic applies:
- Entries without warnings are approved immediately and automatically.
- Entries with warnings remain in "Submitted" status and must be manually reviewed.
This ensures that flagged entries are always seen and evaluated by a team lead.
You can enable auto-approval in the time tracking settings. Learn more under Setting Up Time Tracking.
Handling Warnings
As a team lead, here's how to handle entries with warnings:
- Open the Team tab and filter by "Submitted".
- Prioritize entries with the warning icon.
- Open the detail view — the warning is explained there.
- Choose one of the following options:
Approve Despite Warning
If the situation is justified (e.g., emergency duty), you can approve the entry anyway. The warning remains documented in the audit log.
Correct the Times
Adjust the times directly to comply with the threshold. The employee is informed about the change.
Clarify with the Employee
Request a correction so the employee can adjust their times themselves. Learn more under Approval Workflow.
When approving entries with warnings, briefly document the reason (e.g., "Emergency duty"). This helps during any future review.
medishift displays warnings as a helpful tool but does not replace legal advice on labor law. As an employer, you are responsible for compliance with the Working Time Act. Consult a labor law specialist if in doubt.
Review Window
Warnings are calculated over a time window of ±8 days around the respective entry. This also catches edge cases — such as a rest period violation across day boundaries or a weekly maximum being exceeded at the edge of a calendar week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable warnings?
No. ArbZG warnings are an integral part of time tracking and cannot be disabled. They serve to protect you as an employer.
Are warnings also shown to employees?
Yes. When clocking out, employees see a rest period warning if the minimum rest to the next working day is not met.
Can I approve an entry despite a warning?
Yes, you can manually approve entries with warnings. The warning remains documented in the audit log, so the decision is traceable.
Does medishift consider ArbZG exceptions (e.g., for doctors)?
medishift applies the general thresholds of the ArbZG. Industry-specific exceptions (e.g., under the Hospital Working Time Act) are not currently considered.